Caster glide



March 12, 1963 M. KRAMcsAK, JR

CASTER GLIDE Filed Sept. 2, 1958 J nvilnll 3,080,601 CASTER GLIDE Michael Krarncsak, Jr., Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to Th Bassick Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Sept. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 758,270

9 Claims. (Cl. 16-42) l This invention relates to improvements in removable caster glides.

The improved glides of the present application have been designed for particular use with hollow furniture legs and have been designed to assure reliable retention of the glide on the leg while at the same time providing ease of removal of the glide when desired without sacrificing cost.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved caster glide of the removable type for use with a hollow furniture leg which glide lends itself to the economies of mass production and United States Patent O l which assure-s positive reliable retention of the glide in the leg and which permits easy removal of the glide when desired.

j Another object of the present invention is the provision of a unique cooperating leg and glide retainer which assure economical construction yet reliable operation. In one form, the lower end of the hollow leg defines a transverse wall with a rimmed aperture which is snugly received between a flange and peripheral protrusions on a yield-ablemetallic retainer. Another form is characterized by a hollow furniture leg pressed over and retained by a generally annular rubberlike retainer having circumferentially spaced, axially directed projections, which retainer has been severely compressed to cause the outer peripheral w-all of the retainer to bulge outwardly into tight engagement with the inner peripheral wall of the leg. v

Other objects and the various features of the invention will be appreciated upon a perusal of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view, partially in section, of one yform of the improved glide and furniture leg;

' FIG. 2. is a Vsectionalelevation view of the improved glide of FIG. l;

F1o. 3 1 rh dV rd FIG. 1; is a p an vlew of e improve gl e of to hold the retainer. `27, the washer 26, the shie1d'119,

' FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom view of the furniture leg; FIG. 5 is an elevation view, partially in section, of a vsecond form of the inven-tion; y

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation view of the yimproved 'glide of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan-view of the improved glide of FIG. 5.; v

'and v FIG. 8 is a plan Yview of the-:retainer of FIG.. 5. y The first embodiment of the present invention, dis# tlland 31 each of which tapers as the wall; progresses from bottom to top. Pairs of flanges 32 and 33 are provided closed in FIGS. .1-4, comprises a uniquely designed and 11.

cooperating furniture leg and caster glide which give exceptional performance and stability in use. v As may be best seen in FI. 1, the furniture leg 1 comprises an upstanding hollow wall portion 2 preferably square in crosssection (FIG. 4). v (FIG. l) as it progresses from top to bottom to give a very pleasing modern appearance. The upstanding leg portion 2 may be conveniently formed of a suitable material such as aluminum by extrusion and is preferably provided with a smooth attractive outer surface.

f A generally square washer 3 is inserted into the lower end of the leg portion 2 and is suitably secured, for eX- ample, by welding at the upper peripheral edges and by rolling over the lower edge of the upstanding leg section Zat 4.

The leg portion 2 tapers generally 3,080,601 A. .t Patented 124963 ice 'side wall or rim 12 which is of a 4semi-torcidal configuration. The base 11 and its rim 12 snugly receive the lower portion 13 of a generally annular cushion 14 inade preferably of a rubber-like material. Said lower portion 13 has an outer circumferential periphery of a generally semi-toroidal configuration which conforms to the inner periphery of the rim 12. The cushion 14 is provided with a circumferential groove 15 immediately above the lower portion 13.

An elongated upright stem 16 projects through a central yaperture 17 in the cushion 14. The lower end of the stem 16 is enlarged to form a head 18. The head 18 is in the form of a flange projecting radially outwardly from the stem 16. The head 1S is retained in a circular counter-bore in the lower face of the cushion 14 and coaxial with the aperture 17.

An inverted generally cup-shaped shield 19 is carried by the cushion 14. The shield 19 includes an upper base 2t) which rests upon the upper face of the cushion 14. At the outer periphery of the base 20, the shield 1,9 is vpro- .vided with a generally truncated-conical annulus 21. The inner periphery of the upper portionV of the annulus 21 conforms to and tightly engages an upper tapered peripheral wall portion 22 of the cushion 14. The re- `tainer 19 includes a lower wall portion 23 at the lower extremity of the annulus 21. The lower wall portion 23 presents a vertically disposed cylindrical structure which partially encloses and is slightly s'pacedfroni the rim 12 of the base 11. The shield 19 provides greater structural rigidity and protection for the caster glide and at the 4same time presents'a more attractive appearance.` j f .A dat annular metallic support washer 26 is lreceived Iby the stem 16 'and rests on the upper surface ofthe yshield 19. A generally cup-shaped retainer 27 is carried by the support washer .26.' The retainer 27 includes an'upper base' section 28 having a central aperture 29 through which the stem 16 extends. 'The upper end of the stem 16-is preferably riveted over the upper vsurface of --the base 28 'and the cushion 14 in tight but yielding relation,-` witli the cushion 14 being under compression. 'A r The retainer 27 comprises a pair -of arcuate sidewalls at the vlower extremities of the walls 30 and 31 respecv tively. The flanges extend radially outwardly to posi tions adjacent the outer periphery of theA wa`she126.v lA plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly/"extending protrusions 34 are provided on the walls', 30 and 3,1, in spaced relation to the anges 32 and 33. The protru-l sions 34 extend outwardly and downwardly and are Apro vided with rounded outer surfaces,

When the furniture leg 1 is pressed downwardly over the retainer 27, the peripheral lip 6 compresses theside. walls 30 and 31 radially inward. As the lip 6 rides over.- the protrusions 34, it snaps into place and is firmly-rev, tained between corresponding protrusions 34 and flanges 32 and 33. The washer 3 res-ts on the flanges 32 and 33, which flanges in turn rest on the bearing washer,

leg portion 4 to provide a firm connection.

By the application of a suicient force, the lip 6 can` ride up over the protrusion 34 compressing the side wall-vs' 30 and 31 inwardly for removal of the glide from the leg.' The projections 7, described above, on the lip 6 will engage the edges of the walls 30 and 31 to prevent more than a limited angular relative movement between the leg land the glide assembly.

which is substantially the same as that shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 4. Thus the glide assembly 42 includes a base 43, -a cushion 44, and a shield 45 which arevsimilar to base 11, cushion 14, and shield 19 of FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-8, a stem 46 generally similar to the stem 16 of FIG. 2 is provided. However, in this instance, at least Ithe upper end of the 'stem 46 is threaded as at 47.V The threaded portion 47 is prolvided witha lock washer 4S and a nut 49 for securing a retainer structure thereto.

A flat annular support Washer 50 is received by the stem 46 and rests on the upper surface of the shield 45. An annular retainer 51 of a suitable resilient materiall such as rubber, is received by the stem 46 and is interposedbetween the support washer Si) and the lock washer 48. `Th'e retainer 51 may be made of a somewhat more resilient material Ithan the cushion 44. The nut 49 is tightened to compress the Washer 44 and the retainer 51 untilthe peripheral wall of the retainer 51 is deformed radially outwardly to a position substantially correspondingto the broken line 52.

.with the threaded stem and nut arrangement of FIG. 6.

` With the retainer 51 deformed as described above, the

leg 41 may be forced over the retainer into engagement 'with 'the upper surface of the shield 45. The retainer 51 is compressed inwardly by the leg 41 to form a tight yet removable connection between the glide assembly 4Z and the leg 41'. As shown in FIG. 8, the retainer 51 is preferably .provided fwith` a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially `extending ridges on its outer peripheral wall to more eifectively grip and retain the leg'41.

` While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciatedthat various changes and modifications may befiade therein; and it is contemplated tov cover in the appended claims all such changes and modications as fallr A) v1 hin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

"'What is claimed is:

lplnfcombination, 'a hollow furniture leg; a transverse yvsfallri'gidly secured closely adjacent the lower end ofthev leg,A enclosing the lowerend, and defining a circular centlfaper'ture therein; an upstanding circumferential rim on! the wall jat the periphery of the aperture; lugs projectingfrom 'the rim into the aperture; a removable caster 'glide including a base portion having a central upstanding stein, an inverted 'generally cup-shaped retainer received bythe stem 'and'supportedby the base;lmeansA including the'stfem for holding the retainer on the base; the lperiphewiall ofthe retainer being substantially of a uni- VVuneated-tonical vform and defining axially extending-slots to'perrrit radial compression of the lower `end ofthe retainer; ange' means extending radially outwardly from `rt'heflower endV of the retainer; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions on the retainer side wall" extending outwardly and downwardly for securely and removablyrecelving the upstanding rim between the protrusions and flanges, with the lugs projecting into the slots to restrict angular displacement of the caster glide within thefurniture leg. v

2. InK combination, 'a hollow furniture leg; a transverse wallrigidly secured closely adjacent the lower end of the leg and defining' a central aperture therein; an upstanding circumferential rim on the-wall at the periphery of the aperture; a lug projecting from the rim into the aperture; a removable caster glide including a base portion, an inverted generally cup-shaped retainer supported by the base, and means including an upstanding stem for holding the retainer on the base; the peripheral side Wall of the retainer uniformly tapering upwardly in the direction of its base and defining axially extending slots to permit compression ofl its larger, lower wall portion incident to forcing of the retainer through the aperture in the transverse wall; the lug being received in one of the slots to prevent rotation of the glide relative to the legs, the glide including a leg engaging surface; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions on the retainer side Wall extending outwardly and downwardly to engage the top of the upstanding rim for securely yet removably retaining the leg against the glide engaging surface.

3. A removable caster glide for a furniture leg having a hollow lower end comprising a generally annular cushion of a resilient material having a lower annular periphery irregular in the vertical direction; a cup-shaped door engaging base with an upwardly projecting circumferential rim conforming to and tightly retaining the lower periphery of the cushion; an inverted cup-shaped shield carried by the cushion and enclosing the cushion and base; a at annular support washer carried by the shield; an elongated cylindrical element carried by the washer; means including an upstanding stem retaining the cushion, shield, washer, and cylindrical element tightly and yieldingly in engagement; the cylindrical element being of a resilient material and being deformed radially outwardly under compression by the retaining means for tightly yet removably engaging the inner periphery of the leg.

4. A removable caster glide for a furniture leg having a hollow lower end comprising a generally annular cushion of a resilient material with its axis in a vertical plane and having a generally cylindrical body with an inwardly tapered upper periphery, a generally semitorodial lower periphery, and a circumferential groove adjacent and above the lower periphery; a cup-shaped floor-engaging base with an upwardly projecting curled circumferential rim conforming to and tightly retaining the lower and grooved peripheries of the cushion; the cushion detining a central opening; an elongated stem headed at its lower end and extending upwardly through the opening; an inverted cup-shaped shield carried by the cushion and enclosing the cushion and base; the shield defining a flat upper base with a lcentral opening receiving the stem, a generally truncated-conical upper, side wall conforming to and engaging the tapered upper periphery ofv the -cushion and defining a lower vertical peripheral portion partially yenclosing 'the base rim; a dat annular supportrwasher received by the stem and resting on the shield; an elongated cylindrical element received by the stem and resting on the Washer; means including the stem retaining the cushion, shield, washer, and cylindrical element tightly and yieldingly in engagement; the cylindrical element being of a resilient material and being deformed radiallyV outwardly under compression by the retaining means for tightly yet removably engaging the inner periphery of the leg. 4

"5. A caster glide for supporting on a supporting surface a device having a caster receiving opening, comprisinga cup-shaped member having a base wall presenting a bottom surface for engaging the supporting surface and having upwardly projecting rigid side walls presenting a continuous outside surface thereon, an inverted cupshaped shield having a base portion and downwardly projecting rigid side portions presenting a continuous inside surface thereon positionable over but spaced from the another by the load of the supported device to decrease` the enclosure, and means disposed above the shield insertable into the caster receiving opening for securing the caster glide to the device, whereby the caster glide resiliently supports the device by the restricted resilient compression of the cushion by and between the cupshaped member and cup-shaped shield.

6. A removable caster glide for supporting on a supporting surface a device having a hollow lower portion with a plate member secured to the device over the lower portion and having an aperture communicating therewith for receiving the caster glide, comprising a base having a lower surface engageable with the supporting surface, a cushion of resilient material secured to the base, said cushion having an opening extending substantially normal to the supporting surface, a stem headed at its lower end extending through the opening with the headed lower end engaging the cushion for restricted upward movement relative to the cushion, a shield engaging and substantially covering the cushion, said shield having an opening for receiving the stem, an inverted cup-shaped member hav ing a base wall with a substantially central opening receiving the stem, legs projecting from the base wall toward the shield and diverging slightly uniformly from the stem, flanges on the free ends of the legs projecting outwardly parallel to the base wall and slidably engaging the shield, protuberances on the outside of the legs spaced from the flanges, and means on the upper end of the stem engaging the base wall for securing the member, shield, and cushion firmly together, wherein the cup-shaped member is insertable into the aperture so that the legs engage the plate member and are deflected inwardly thereby to slide the flanges inwardly along the shield until the protuberances slide past the plate member, and the plate member is firmly seated between the protuberances and the fianges for removably securing the caster glide to the device.

7. A removable caster glide for supporting on a supporting surface a device having a hollow lower portion, with a plate member secured to the device over the hollow lower portion and having an aperture communicating therewith for receiving the caster glide, comprising a base having a lower surface engageable with the supporting surface, a cushion of resilient material engaging the base, said cushion having an opening extending substantially normal to the supporting surface, a stem headed at its lower end extending through the opening with the headed lower end engaging the cushion for restricted upward movement relative to the cushion, a shield engaging and substantially covering the cushion, said shield having an opening for receiving the stem, an inverted cup-shaped member having a base wall with a substantially central opening receiving the stem, substantially straight legs projecting from the base wall toward the shield and diverging slightly from the stem, flanges on the free ends of the legs projecting outwardly parallel to the base Wall and slidably engaging the shield, protuberances on the outside of the legs spaced from the flanges, means on the upper end of the stem engaging the base wall for securing the member, shield, and cushion firmly together, and lugs projecting from the plate member into the aperture, wherein the cup-shaped member is insertable into the aperture so that the legs engage the plate member and are wedged inwardly thereby to slide the fianges inwardly along the shield until the protuberances slide past the plate member, and the plate member is firmly held between the protuberances and the flanges for removably securing the caster glide to the device, said lugs being received between the legs and engaged therewith to prevent rotation of the caster glide relative to the device.

8. In combination, a hollow furniture leg having a transverse wall closely adjacent the lower end of the leg, said wall having a central aperture therein defined by a peripheral rim, a removable caster glide including a base, an upstanding stem supported by the base, an inverted generally cup-shaped retainer disposed above the base, and means including the stem for holding the retainer in a generally fixed position relative to the base, the retainer having side wall structure uniformly converging throughout its length in the direction away from the base and defining axially extending slots open to its free end to permit radial compression thereof incident to forcing of the retainer through the aperture of the transverse wall, the glide including a leg engaging surface proximate the free end of the side wall structure, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions formed on the ntermediate portion of the retainer side wall structure each having its edge adjacent the leg engaging surface at a distance therefrom comparable to the distance in the secured position of the glide and leg between the leg engaging surface and the side of the rim remote therefrom, the protrusions being adapted to engage the rim on the side thereof remote from the leg engaging surface for retaining the leg against said surface.

9. A removable caster glide operable with a plate member having an aperture defined by a peripheral rim, comprising a base having a lower face engageable with a supporting surface, a stem operatively secured to the base and projecting away from the lower face, an inverted generally cup-shaped member having a base wall operatively connected to the stem, substantially straight legs projecting from the base wall toward the lower face and diverging slightly uniformly from the stem, flanges on the free ends of the legs projecting outwardly from the stem, and protuberances formed on the outside of the legs spaced from the flanges and constituting only a fraction of the outside periphery of the legs as measured on a plane extending through the protuberances, wherein the cup-shaped member is insertable into the aperture to deflect the free ends of the legs inwardly until the protuberances slide past the rim and the rim is firmly seated between the protuberances and the flanges.

References Cited in the file of' this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,891,643 Henriksen Dec. 20, 1932 2,172,004 Anderson Sept. 5, 1939 2,513,193 Miller lune 27, 1950 2,631,330 Becker Mar. 17, 1953 2,738,541 Thornsbury Mar. 20, 1956 

5. A CASTER GLIDE FOR SUPPORTING ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE A DEVICE HAVING A CASTER RECEIVING OPENING, COMPRISING A CUP-SHAPED MEMBER HAVING A BASE WALL PRESENTING A BOTTOM SURFACE FOR ENGAGING THE SUPPORTING SURFACE AND HAVING UPWARDLY PROJECTING RIGID SIDE WALLS PRESENTING A CONTINUOUS OUTSIDE SURFACE THEREON, AN INVERTED CUPSHAPED SHIELD HAVING A BASE PORTION AND DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING RIGID SIDE PORTIONS PRESENTING A CONTINUOUS INSIDE SURFACE THEREON POSITIONABLE OVER BUT SPACED FROM THE OUTSIDE SURFACE, A CUSHION OF RESILIENT MATERIAL DISPOSED IN THE ENCLOSURE DEFINED BY AND BETWEEN THE CUP-SHAPED MEMBER AND CUP-SHAPED SHIELD AND RESILIENTLY URGING THEM APART, SAID MEMBER AND SHIELD BEING BIASED TOWARD ONE ANOTHER BY THE LOAD OF THE SUPPORTED DEVICE TO DECREASE THE ENCLOSURE, AND MEANS DISPOSED ABOVE THE SHIELD INSERTABLE INTO THE CASTER RECEIVING OPENING FOR SECURING THE CASTER GLIDE TO THE DEVICE, WHEREBY THE CASTER GLIDE RESILIENTLY SUPPORTS THE DEVICE BY THE RESTRICTED RESILIENT COMPRESSION OF THE CUSHION BY AND BETWEEN THE CUPSHAPED MEMBER AND CUP-SHAPED SHIELD. 